On May 10, 1849, a melee arose in Astor Place in lower Manhattan. Thousands took to the streets. By the time the riot was over, more than two dozen were dead, more than 100 injured and the militia had been called out. The cause? A tussle between pro-abolitionist and pro-slavery forces? Labor unrest? Gang warfare? No: It was theatre. The rioters were made up of factions that supported American actor Edwin Forr…
SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM on May 2, 2015